Edwin W Herron1, Frank Zavisca1, Randall C Cork2. 1. Department of Anesthesiology LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport, LA 71111 Board Certified, American Board of Anesthesiology. 2. Professor and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport, LA 71111 Board Certified, American Board of Anesthesiology.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that low scores by residents in their in-training examinations predict failure at eventual certification, there is a paucity of information regarding results with focused intervention. METHODS: Over a two-year period, international medical graduates (IMGs) accepted as CA-1 residents in the Department of Anesthesiology were provided an intensive one-month text-based teaching program focusing on anesthesia-specific medical knowledge. The Anesthesia Knowledge Test® (Metrics Associates, Inc., Chelmford, MA) as a surrogate for the American Board of Anesthesiology In-training Examination was administered on the first day (AKT-1), after the one-month training period (AKT-1), and after six months (AKT-6). AKT test results were reported as percentiles of all anesthesia residents taking the test. After two years, a retrospective review of test results was performed with repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: IMG residents increased their percentile test performance on the AKT-1 from 31.2 ± 6.3% baseline (mean ± SEM) to 56.8 ± 6.4 % after the one month session (p<0.05). This increased performance was maintained with the AKT-6 at six months: 62.8 ± 7.8 %. CONCLUSION: An intensive anesthesia text-based one-month didactic program can improve the test performance of IMGs. This effect is sustained after six months.
BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that low scores by residents in their in-training examinations predict failure at eventual certification, there is a paucity of information regarding results with focused intervention. METHODS: Over a two-year period, international medical graduates (IMGs) accepted as CA-1 residents in the Department of Anesthesiology were provided an intensive one-month text-based teaching program focusing on anesthesia-specific medical knowledge. The Anesthesia Knowledge Test® (Metrics Associates, Inc., Chelmford, MA) as a surrogate for the American Board of Anesthesiology In-training Examination was administered on the first day (AKT-1), after the one-month training period (AKT-1), and after six months (AKT-6). AKT test results were reported as percentiles of all anesthesia residents taking the test. After two years, a retrospective review of test results was performed with repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: IMG residents increased their percentile test performance on the AKT-1 from 31.2 ± 6.3% baseline (mean ± SEM) to 56.8 ± 6.4 % after the one month session (p<0.05). This increased performance was maintained with the AKT-6 at six months: 62.8 ± 7.8 %. CONCLUSION: An intensive anesthesia text-based one-month didactic program can improve the test performance of IMGs. This effect is sustained after six months.
Entities:
Keywords:
certifying examination;; education;; in-training examination;; international medical graduates; predictions;; residents;
Authors: D L Reich; S Uysal; C A Bodian; S Gabriele; M Hibbard; W Gordon; M Sliwinki; R D Kayne Journal: Anesth Analg Date: 1999-05 Impact factor: 5.108